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Little is known about them except legends. Desolations came in regular cycles.[2][3][4] During Desolations, the inhabitants of Roshar were attacked by an enemy force, generally called Voidbringers.[5][6][7][4] The cycle of Desolations seems somehow attached to the Oathpact.[2] According to Lore, there were ninety-nine Desolations, however, the actual number of Desolations is much smaller.[8]

The coming of a Desolation was announced by the appearance of the Ten Heralds.[2][4][9] The appearance of Midnight Essence was also a sign of an upcoming Desolation.[6] One of the Desolations lasted eleven years.[4]

At the end of what is called the Last Desolation, nine of ten Heralds abandoned the Oathpact leaving only Talenel to return to damnation, the place where the Heralds go between the Desolations. This leads to a period of about 4,500 years without a Desolation.

According to Vorinism, mankind fought the Voidbringers during Desolations ninety and nine times, before mankind finally won and drove them back to the Tranquiline Halls.[7] That victory was later referred to as the Last Desolation.